90 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, August 8, 1918

The Chief Wawatam leaves Tuesday to go into the Detroit dry dock for repairs. The Sainte Marie will be placed in commission during the Chief's absence.

This old town [St. Ignace] is a busy little place. The buzzing of the mills, the puffing of the yard engine, the chugging of the fish tugs, and the whistling of the car ferry with a full cargo every two hours indicates that we are affected by the war energy that is manifested all through the country. Happily we are not neglecting farming.

Miss Genevieve McCann of St. Ignace, sister of Mrs. J.F. Darby and Miss Cassilda McCann, has been appointed chief clerk of the state game, fish, and forestry department to succeed Charles K. Hoyt, deceased. Miss McCann is the first woman to hold the position to which she has just been appointed.

Frank Koblinski of Duluth accepted a position as telegraph operator at the depot [Trout Lake].

Tuesday and yesterday were soldiers letters days for the parents and friends of our boys in service. Hundreds of letters were received, some telling of the safe arrival of members of the 85th Division in France, and other general news from the front and cantonments. No casualties were reported in any of them and thus far Mackinac county has cause for great rejoicing.

There is a family on what is known as the old Sam Allen place with eighteen horses for sale; anyone wanting a good work team or drying horse, call on him [Curtis].

50 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 7, 1958

Joseph Thibault, former state ferry service cook, has purchased the restaurant equipment and business of the Gateway Cafe at Burdette and US-2 from Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gosdin.

"One of the most difficult, and perhaps the most important, problem faced by the Mackinac County Chamber of Commerce has been the handling of traffic going to and from Mackinac Island. I refer particularly to the parking of cars. Our experience in the early weeks of the summer led us to the conclusion that the parking space needed to be organized with a plan for supervision and control." - Emerson R. Smith, Mackinac County Chamber of Commerce manager.

The tenth annual Father Marquette Day Pageant will begin at 12:00 noon, Sunday, August 10, opposite Father Marquette Park and museum on the shores of Moran Bay with the traditional Indian ceremonies that precede the landing of the famous Jesuit missionary priest and explorer as it happened in the year 1671.

New all-time records were established by the Mackinac Bridge during July, as 307,838 motor vehicles crossed the span during the 31-day period, bringing in gross revenues totaling $1,082,885.

The new M-134, which leads from US-2 north of St. Ignace to Les Cheneaux, is a boon to the eastern upper peninsula, according to opinion voiced by Marvin Winkelman, president of the Mackinac County Chamber of Commerce.

35 Years Ago

The Republican-News

& St. Ignace Enterprise

Thursday, August 9, 1973

Joseph Lawson, 23, who escaped from the Mackinac County jail about 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, turned himself in by calling the State Police from a State Street pay phone about 3:15 a.m. Friday morning. He was taken into custody and is now lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. Lawson, a native of New Orleans, La., was charged in the stabbing death of Larry Jackson on Mackinac Island on July 1.

He made his escape by breaking the food service window in his cell. He then got into the adjoining cell and summoned the turnkey, asking for medication. He then shoved the turnkey against the cell wall with the door and got away by breaking a second story window and sliding down the flagpole.

15 Years Ago

The St. Ignace News

Thursday, August 5, 1993

Governor John Engler cut a red ribbon dedicating St. Ignace's new Michigan State Police Post on Friday, July 30, one of the two progressive Straits of Mackinac facilities for which ribbons were cut within a one-hour period.

An Ontario man died Sunday night, July 31, when the plane he was piloting crashed into Lake Michigan near Naubinway, but his wife survived by clinging to the plane's pontoons for several hours before a canoeist saved her. Authorities say the pilot lost control of his 1964 Cessna 180 seaplane in spotty fog near the Rock River, and crashed into the lake sometime Sunday afternoon, overturning the plane.

It is now official that Mackinac Straits Hospital broke even in the fiscal year ending March 31 - the first time it has not suffered heavy losses in at least six years.

With finishing sweeps in both the Chicago and Port Huron races by the new maxi boats Windquest, Renegade, and Trader, it appears the beginning of a new ear - or at least the end of an old one - has occurred in Great Lakes sailing technology. The heyday of the Santa Cruz 70s - boats like Pied Piper, Stripes, and Cynosure, that have dominated the Mackinac races for years - may be over.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Ignace News is seeking original prints or reprints of old photographs depicting areas in the Eastern Upper Peninsula to be scanned into the archives and for the Looking Back column. Photographs to be loaned or donated to the Michilimackinac Historical Society can also be sent or dropped off at The St. Ignace News.